The Yankees would like to acquire another starting pitcher this winter. Now that the best of the weak free agent class have signed, the names most often linked to them are Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer, former aces who are rehabbing from injuries.

A trade is also an option, and the events of the past week could make the Chicago Cubs a potential trading partner. The Cubs, who dealt outfielder Milton Bradley to the Seattle Mariners for starter Carlos Silva, are now looking for a center fielder. They could be interested in either Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner, who could be expendable after the Yankees traded for Curtis Granderson.

Chicago GM Jim Hendry could be in contact with the Yankees about such a deal, according to a report on FoxSports.com.

“The Cubs have their holes, but one thing they have enough of is starting pitching,” one AL executive said. “There’s a lot of factors to weigh – Cabrera and Gardner fit a budget – but you could see it being a match.”

Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells are the Cubs’ top four starters. The candidates for the fifth spot are Silva, lefty Tom Gorzelanny and righty Jeff Samardzija, who also has been a reliever. Hendry has said that Silva could go to the bullpen.

The 2010 Yankees are still a work in progress. Right now their starting outfield would be Nick Swisher in right, Granderson in center and Cabrera in left. Gardner would be the fourth outfielder, and Rule V draft pick Jamie Hoffmann the fifth. And GM Brian Cashman appears very content with that.

At what point do the Yankees say to themselves: “Hmmm. Alotta teams want Brett Gardner. Maybe we should hang on to him since everyone else seems to think he’ll be a good player?”

Comments on Cubs Interested In Yanks’ Gardner Or Cabrera?

Of course, the reverse thinking may be just as valid — cash in on a player whose value is high. This is especially true if the player is not vital to your club but could bring back an asset you need.

So, just to pose a possibility, with a gap in the starting rotation and Ted Lilly (age 34) nearing the end of his Cubs deal and having long experience in the AL East, perhaps the basis for a swap is there, although I am sure it would take more than Gardener to secure him. (And, yes, in the interests of full disclosure, I was one who advocated in this space signing Lilly back when he was a free agent and the Yankees preferred Igawa.)

I’ll go on the record and say, at this point, the Yankees shouldn’t be in the business of trading any outfielders. Our outfield depth is about as deep as Brett and Hoffman and that’s already pretty thin.

But let’s see where the offseason continues. Maybe another move is made somewhere that we could afford to deal Gardner. Maybe not, but as of now it’s probably not a great idea to lose another outfielder when we traded a young one – AJax – and let an old one – Damon – walk.

I don’t like Swisher’s game. He’s peaked; let’s trade him.
I like Gardner’s game. He’s on the upswing; let’s not trade him.

Who was actually more valuable to last year’s Yankees?
Uh, that would be Swisher…by a lot.
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OK, OK, I can see trading Swisher, but you have to get a piece just as valuable.
I can see not trading Gardner, but only if you really think he improves and gets more valuable.

I like Gardner BUT Hendry is not a bright GM. My nickname for him is the anti-Theo, no matter what he does he can’t get the Cubs past their so-called Billy Goat Curse. If the Yanks can get something of value, go for it BECAUSE he’s the same man who signed Milton Bradley …when he knew he was a headcase. Judging by some of his other moves he can be fleeced……